Statement of Accreditation Status
Evangelical Theological Seminary
- Phase: Formerly Accredited
- Status: Voluntarily Surrendered
- Accreditation Granted: December 8, 1984
- Accreditation Ceased: June 30, 2020
On June 24, 2020, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education approved the teach-out plan developed by Evangelical Theological Seminary because the institution has voluntarily surrendered its accreditation and terminated its membership. The purpose of the teach-out plan is to assist students who are near completion of a credential finalize and complete academic requirements. To assist with the implementation of the teach-out plan, Evangelical Theological Seminary entered into teach-out agreements with Sioux Falls Seminary, 2100 S Summit Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, Phone: (605) 336-6588. To note that accreditation will cease on June 30, 2020. As of July 1, 2020, Evangelical Theological Seminary is no longer accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, (267-284-5011) www.msche.org. For more information, see the Commission's Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures.
- June 24, 2020
To approve the teach-out plan. To approve the teach-out agreement with Sioux Falls Seminary, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. - June 24, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. To accept the institution's request to voluntarily surrendered its accreditation and terminate its membership and to note that accreditation will cease effective July 1, 2020. - May 21, 2020
To note that the request of the Commission action of February 27, 2020, is no longer required. - May 21, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the institution's Intent to Voluntarily Surrender accreditation and terminate membership. To request a supplemental information report due June 1, 2020, providing: (1) evidence of Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements and all necessary approvals regarding the surrender of the institution's accreditation status; (2) evidence of the request made to the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the United States Department of Education (USDE) to transfer title IV gatekeeper status to ATS, including any relevant correspondence or notification from the Federal Student Financial Aid Office; (3) evidence of the approval of the transfer of title IV gatekeeper status to the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) by the United States Department of Education, including any relevant correspondence or notification from the Federal Student Financial Aid Office; and (4) evidence of notification to the institution's constituents related to the surrender of accreditation (Requirements of Affiliation 5 and 6, and Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). To further request that the institution complete and submit for approval, by June 1, 2020, a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). In accordance with Commission policy and procedures and federal regulations, the teach-out plan must provide for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education, upon voluntary surrender of accreditation, and include any teach-out agreements that the institution has entered into or intends to enter into with another institution. To note that accreditation will cease effective July 1, 2020. - February 27, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the request to delay the Self-Study Evaluation and On-Site Evaluation Visit. To reject the request for the delay. To note that the institution did not attend the Self-Study Institute or schedule the Self-Study Preparation Visit (Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures). To require the institution to commence the self-study process and schedule the Self-Study Preparation Visit by March 13, 2020. To note that the Commission will act on the complex substantive change in accordance with its policy and procedures. To direct a Commission Liaison Guidance Visit to discuss the Commission's expectations. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2020-2021. - August 27, 2018
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the second alternative delivery method program (online Master of Divinity ) within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2020-2021. - June 21, 2018
To accept the monitoring report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2020-2021. - January 2, 2018
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the first Doctor's - Professional Practice degree program (Doctor of Theology) within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution of the Commission's request of November 17, 2016 for a monitoring report due March 1, 2018. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2020-2021. - November 17, 2016
To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. To request a monitoring report due March 1, 2018, further documenting the (1) development of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process for the assessment of non-academic units (Standard 7) and (2) the use of direct and indirect measures to assess and improve student learning in all academic programs (Standard 14). To note the institution's obligation to inform the Commission about any and all developments related to the United States Department of Education program review determination (Requirement of Affiliation #5). The Commission expects to be informed within ten business days. The next self-study evaluation is scheduled for 2020-2021. - June 23, 2016
To note the visit by the Commission's representative and to affirm inclusion of the additional location at the Dixon University Center, 2986 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To note that the Commission will act on the Periodic Review Report at its November meeting. - June 25, 2015
To note the visit by the Commission's representative and to affirm inclusion of the additional location at the Lancaster Mennonite School, 2160 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602 within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution that the Periodic Review Report, due June 1, 2016, should address progress made in ongoing assessment of student learning outcomes, in particular degree program outcomes (Standard 14). - April 27, 2015
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To approve the relocation of the additional location from The Harrisburg Institute of Messiah College, 28 S. Dewberry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 to the Dixon University Center, 2986 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 and to include the new additional location within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The Commission requires written notification within 30 days of the commencement of operations at this additional location and the closure of the other location. In the event that operations at the additional location do not commence within one calendar year from the approval of this action, approval will lapse. To remind the institution that the Periodic Review Report, due June 1, 2016, should address progress made in ongoing assessment of student learning outcomes, in particular degree program outcomes (Standard 14). - January 2, 2015
To note that the institution has decided not to open the additional location at the Evangelical Theological Center in the Cumberland Valley, 3583 Scotland Road, Scotland, PA 17254 and to remove the location from the institution's accreditation. - March 6, 2014
To accept the progress report. To remind the institution of the request that the Periodic Review Report, due June 1, 2016, address progress made in ongoing assessment of student learning outcomes, in particular degree program outcomes (Standard 14). - January 2, 2014
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the online Master of Arts in Christian Leadership within the scope of the institution's accreditation. - January 2, 2014
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the additional locations at (1) the Evangelical Theological Center in the Cumberland Valley, 3583 Scotland Road, Scotland, PA 17254 and (2) the Lancaster Mennonite School, 2160 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602, within the scope of the institution's accreditation pending site visits to the new locations within six months of the commencement of operations. The Commission requires written notification within thirty days of the commencement of operations at these additional locations. In the event that operations at the additional locations do not commence within one calendar year from the approval of this action, approval will lapse. To remind the institution of the request that the Periodic Review Report, due June 1, 2016, address progress made in ongoing assessment of student learning outcomes, in particular degree program outcomes (Standard 14). - March 7, 2013
To note the visit by the Commission's representative and to affirm inclusion of the additional location at The Harrisburg Institute of Messiah College, 28 Dewberry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution of the request for a progress report, due January 1, 2014, documenting progress on the implementation of the strategic plan, particularly regarding programs it may discontinue in order to strengthen the core programs identified in the plan (Standard 3) and of the request that the Periodic Review Report, due June 1, 2016, address progress made in ongoing assessment of student learning outcomes, in particular degree program outcomes (Standard 14). - June 28, 2012
To accept the supplemental report and note the visit by the Commission's representatives. To reaffirm accreditation and to request a progress report, due January 1, 2014, documenting progress on the implementation of the strategic plan, particularly regarding programs it may discontinue in order to strengthen the core programs identified in the plan (Standard 3). To further request that the Periodic Review Report, due June 1, 2016, address progress made in ongoing assessment of student learning outcomes, in particular degree program outcomes (Standard 14). - May 1, 2012
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request and to include the additional location at The Harrisburg Institute of Messiah College, 28 Dewberry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 provisionally within the scope of the institution's accreditation pending a site visit within six months of commencing operations. The Commission requires written notification within thirty days of the commencement of operations at this additional location. In the event that operations at the additional location do not commence within one calendar year from the approval of this action, approval will lapse. To note that a supplemental information report due March 1, 2012, has been received and that a follow-up visit has been conducted and that the Commission will act on this report and team recommendation at its June meeting. The date of the next Periodic Review Report will be set when accreditation is reaffirmed. - November 17, 2011
To document receipt of the self-study report, noting that it did not provide evidence and analysis conducive to Commission review, was of insufficient quality, and necessitated extraordinary effort by the Commission's representatives and staff. To postpone a decision on accreditation and to request a supplemental information report, due by March 1, 2012, that sufficiently documents compliance with Standards 2 (Planning, Resource Allocation, and Institutional Renewal), 3 (Institutional Resources), 7 (Institutional Assessment), and 14 (Assessment of Student Learning, including but not limited to (1) evidence of the development and implementation of a comprehensive institutional strategic plan that links long range planning to decision-making, resource allocation, and budgeting processes (Standard 2); (2) evidence of steps taken to improve the institution's short- and long-term financial viability and the institution's sustainability, particularly with regard to declining enrollments and plans to offer programming through distance education (Standard 3); (3) the audited financial statement and management letter for FY 2011 (Standard 3); (4) evidence of the development and implementation of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process for the assessment of institutional effectiveness, including evidence that assessment information is used in budgeting, planning, and allocating resources (Standard 7); (5) evidence of the use of assessment results to improve budgeting, programs, services, processes, planning, and resource allocation (Standard 7); (6) evidence of the use of appropriate direct and indirect methods of assessment to determine the attainment of learning goals at the program level (Standard 14); (7) evidence of progress in attaining established learning goals (Standard 14); and (8) evidence that student learning assessment is used to improve teaching and learning (Standard 14). A visit will follow the submission of the supplemental report.
